Online privacy feels increasingly rare today. Our personal data is constantly collected, mined, packaged, and sold by tech companies, advertisers, and who knows who else. Web browsers have a front row seat to our online activity and are prime snoops. So how can we take back control of our privacy? For many, the Vivaldi browser offers a path to reclaiming personal data security.
Contents
- The Modern Privacy Crisis
- Who‘s Behind Vivaldi and Can They Be Trusted?
- How Vivaldi‘s Built-in Features Protect You
- Vivaldi‘s Business Model Allows Privacy Focus
- How Vivaldi‘s Privacy Stacks Up to Alternatives
- Optimizing Vivaldi‘s Settings for Privacy
- Vivaldi Security FAQs
- Defense-in-Depth: Use Vivaldi With a VPN
The Modern Privacy Crisis
Maintaining privacy online has become overwhelmingly difficult. We regularly hear of massive data breaches impacting millions – think Equifax, Yahoo, Marriott Hotels. Cybercrime costs the world economy over $1 trillion annually according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
Surveys show eroding public trust of how companies handle personal data. 81% of US consumers feel they have lost control over collection of their personal information according to Thales Group. Many express frustration over lack of transparency and consent around data collection.
But our digital profiles are only becoming more detailed. Online ads are hyper-targeted using extensive tracking of browsing activity, purchases, location and more. Tech companies analyze communications and connections to profile users for profit. Staying anonymous online feels impossible.
This is where privacy-centric web browsers aim to shift power back to individuals. But are they delivering? Let‘s evaluate Vivaldi‘s approach.
Who‘s Behind Vivaldi and Can They Be Trusted?
Vivaldi Technologies launched in 2016 by CEO Jon von Tetzchner, co-founder and former CEO of Opera, and Tatsuki Tomita, a former Opera developer. Both are long-time pioneers in browser development focused on innovation and privacy.
Based in Norway, Vivaldi must comply with strict European data protection laws like GDPR. The company stresses commitment to transparency and data minimization guided by what‘s best for customers, not shareholders.
As a relatively small, privately-held company, Vivaldi can stick to its values rather than cave to outside interests demanding access to user data. This gives them freedom to design true privacy into the browser under the guiding light of "privacy by design" principles.
How Vivaldi‘s Built-in Features Protect You
Vivaldi bakes privacy into its codebase with an array of proprietary protections:
Tracker and Ad Blocking
Vivaldi automatically blocks ads, trackers like cookies and beacons, and privacy-invasive scripts. This prevents thousands of third parties from compiling dossiers about you and speeds up page loads by up to 44%, saving data.
Private Window
This incognito-style mode temporarily clears identifying info like browsing history, caches and cookies when closed. It also enables tracker/ad blocking by default for anonymous browsing.
Secure Password Manager
The built-in password manager generates, saves and syncs secure passwords across devices using end-to-end encryption so they remain private.
No Tracking or Data Collection
Vivaldi pledges not to track, log or sell any user data. It collects only basic analytics on version, OS, region, and usage data. Even IP addresses are anonymized.
Tab Privacy Controls
Options like Tab Hibernation freeze background tabs to free up system resources and prevent hidden activity. Split screen tab tiling lets you visually compare sites.
Secure Sync
The encrypted Sync feature lets you save bookmarks, settings, passwords between devices without storing data on external servers.
User Profile Management
Create separate user profiles to keep work and personal browsing data private on shared devices. Profiles store individual browsing history, bookmarks and settings.
Custom Privacy Controls
Granular privacy settings give you control over cookies, location access, camera/microphone access, notifications and more on a global or per-site basis.
Here are some examples of how Vivaldi‘s built-in protections stand up to common browser privacy risks:
| Threat | Vivaldi Protection |
|---|---|
| Ad Trackers | Blocks trackers in ads |
| Fingerprinting | Blocks canvas and font fingerprinting techniques |
| Cryptomining Scripts | Blocks unauthorized cryptojacking scripts |
| Cookie Tracking | Controls first-party and third-party cookies |
| Phishing/Malware | Blocks suspicious sites and scripts |
| Activity Monitoring | Disables tab activity when hibernated |
| IP Address Leaks | Disables unnecessary WebRTC data leaks |
Vivaldi‘s Business Model Allows Privacy Focus
Vivaldi is free to download and use but offers a paid "Plus" version with additional features. It generates revenue through:
- Licensing search engines like Yahoo, Yandex, and Qwant that pay to be included as options. But it does not have any agreement with Google.
- Pre-installed Speed Dial bookmark tiles are sponsored placements – you can delete them.
This allows Vivaldi to fund ongoing development and security without relying on selling user data like some browsers owned by tech giants. Vivaldi‘s priority is its community of users, not pleasing shareholders.
But you should vet the policies of any pre-installed search providers or sites for their data practices before using.
How Vivaldi‘s Privacy Stacks Up to Alternatives
Vivaldi isn‘t the only privacy-focused browser choice. Its combination of protections is unique, but others also have merits:
| Browser | Privacy Highlights | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Brave | Blocks ads & trackers. Can earn crypto rewards. Very fast. | Crypto rewards model raises questions. |
| Tor | Routes traffic through encrypted network for anonymity. | Performance can be slow. Designed for high-risk use. |
| Firefox | Strong anti-tracking and fingerprinting tools. | Lags Vivaldi in ad/tracker blocking. |
| DuckDuckGo | Search engine focused on privacy. Useful mobile browser. | Search still less private than browser due to tracking. |
Vivaldi provides robust custom ad and tracker blocking for those who want greater levels of granular control over their privacy.
Optimizing Vivaldi‘s Settings for Privacy
While Vivaldi is designed for privacy by default, you should customize settings for optimal protection:
Block trackers and ads
Vivaldi offers 3 blocking levels. Choose the strictest settings to limit exposure.
Disable address bar suggestions
Don‘t let search terms and sites you type be logged and tracked.
Set strict cookie controls
I recommend blocking all third-party cookies to prevent tracking.
Limit permission access
Block website access to camera, microphone, location unless absolutely required.
Disable autofill forms
Don‘t store personal info like names, addresses, credit cards that could be hacked.
Use private browsing mode
Private windows shield browsing sessions from leaving your device.
Create separate user profiles
Keep work and personal browsing isolated and private on shared devices.
Manage Sync data
Select data like bookmarks to encrypt and sync across your devices.
Disable telemetry
Opt out of any usage analytics and error reporting data.
Vivaldi Security FAQs
Does Vivaldi have any major vulnerabilities?
No known major vulnerabilities. Vivaldi employs Bugcrowd for disclosure and has a robust bug bounty program.
Can government agencies or hackers see your activity?
End-to-end encryption prevents any spying. Vivaldi has no data to hand over if compelled by authorities.
How does Vivaldi‘s security compare to Chrome or Safari?
Far superior. Chrome tracks users extensively. Safari lacks fine-grained control of trackers/cookies.
Is Vivaldi safe for online banking and shopping?
Yes. Vivaldi‘s privacy features and encryption make it very safe for financial transactions.
Defense-in-Depth: Use Vivaldi With a VPN
Vivaldi goes farther than other mainstream browsers in securing your privacy through built-in protections. But no one solution is a silver bullet. That‘s why experts recommend taking a layered "defense-in-depth" approach to security.
Adding a trusted VPN provides encrypted tunnels for all network traffic on any browser. This hidies your IP address, location, and online activity from snoops. So use Vivaldi in combination with a VPN for anonymized, track-proof web browsing.
In summary, Vivaldi provides robust customization to limit exposure of your personal data from browser spying and tracking. Its baked-in privacy makes it one of the most secure options for reclaiming privacy in 2024. But pair it with a VPN service for truly anonymous browsing.
